After years of emotional turmoil, fiery passion, and countless make-ups and breakups, the saga of Hardin Scott and Tessa Young—affectionately known as Hessa—reaches its poignant conclusion in After Everything. Now streaming on Netflix, the final installment in the After franchise offers closure to fans who have been invested in this modern-day romance since the first film premiered in 2019. If you’ve followed their journey from college campus drama to soul-searching adulthood, prepare to say goodbye with a tear or two.
A Journey Built on Fire and Forgiveness
The After series, adapted from Anna Todd’s best-selling novels, started with the innocent and wide-eyed Tessa meeting the enigmatic and brooding Hardin. Their chemistry was instant, but so were the red flags. Over the course of five films, we witnessed an intensely passionate love story unfold—often crossing lines of pain and healing. What makes After Everything different is its maturity. It’s less about the flames of a toxic love and more about whether those flames can burn brightly without burning both people down.
“After Ever Happy” Left Us Hanging
The fourth film, After Ever Happy, ended with Tessa and Hardin once again going their separate ways. Hardin had published a book about their relationship—without Tessa’s blessing—which sent shockwaves through their already fragile connection. Tessa, having endured betrayal, heartbreak, and personal loss, stepped away to focus on her own healing. Meanwhile, Hardin began confronting his inner demons. Fans were left wondering: Is there a future for Hessa, or was theirs a love story doomed from the start?
“After Everything” Picks Up the Pieces
In After Everything, we find Hardin in a reflective state, grappling with the consequences of his past choices. He’s haunted by guilt and unresolved trauma. Determined to become a better man—not for Tessa, but for himself—he embarks on a journey of redemption. This includes an unexpected trip to Lisbon, where he seeks out Natalie, a woman from his past whose life he once derailed. It’s a bold move, one that shows how much Hardin has grown.
Meanwhile, Tessa isn’t simply waiting in the wings. She’s building a life of her own, focused on her career and emotional stability. But like all great love stories, the pull between these two characters remains strong. Their eventual reunion feels earned, not forced, offering a sense of realism amidst the romantic backdrop.
A Different Kind of Ending
Without spoiling too much, After Everything doesn’t wrap up in a tidy bow. It acknowledges that love is messy, healing is hard, and sometimes the person you’re meant to be with isn’t the one you expected—but the one you’ve grown alongside. Hessa’s ending is open enough to feel believable, but satisfying enough to reward loyal fans who have endured their ups and downs.
The film also delivers an emotional punch with flashbacks, callbacks to earlier moments in the series, and a heartfelt montage that captures the essence of their journey. For fans who have grown up with these characters, it’s a bittersweet goodbye.
A Strong Sendoff for Hero and Josephine
Much of the success of After Everything hinges on the performances of Hero Fiennes Tiffin (Hardin) and Josephine Langford (Tessa). Over the years, their chemistry has deepened, evolving from teenage infatuation to something more layered and raw. In this final film, both actors deliver some of their most nuanced performances yet. Hero, in particular, showcases a vulnerability we’ve rarely seen before, shedding the bad-boy armor for something more human and flawed.
The Power of Fan-Driven Success
What started as Wattpad fan fiction exploded into a cultural phenomenon. The After franchise, often dismissed by critics, found its strength in its fanbase. It gave a voice to a generation of readers and viewers who saw themselves in Tessa’s journey of self-discovery and Hardin’s path to redemption. After Everything is not just a finale; it’s a love letter to the fans who made it all possible. Is After Everything perfect? Not quite. It has its share of melodrama, and the pacing can feel uneven at times. But what it lacks in polish, it makes up for in heart. This is a film that understands its audience and delivers exactly what they need: closure, catharsis, and a touch of hope.
